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Several ostrich leather traits cannot be assessed objectively within the present industry structure. A subjective scoring system was devised to allow the assessment of several qualitative leather traits for the estimation of genetic parameters. Nodule size and shape, along with the presence of hair follicles and pitting damage were scored on linear scales from 1 to 9 on 1021 processed ostrich skins. The data were analysed together with live weight and skin size using threshold-linear animal models, with compression of categories where required. Heritability estimates were 0.44 for live weight, 0.33 for skin size, 0.46 for nodule size, 0.33 for nodule shape, 0.49 for hair follicles and 0.15 for pitting. The 95% highest posterior density confidence intervals for all variance components excluded zero. The quantitative slaughter traits were favourably related to nodule shape and nodule size, while the presence of hair follicles or pitting was not significantly related to the other traits on a genetic level. Sufficient genetic variation was demonstrated to allow sustained genetic progress for objective and subjectively assessed traits. |
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